Chapter 14:
Lee could not sleep. It was strange considering the fact that she had never slept in a bed so soft and luxurious.
' I think that luxury doesn't suit me ' Lee sighed tossing on her silken bed sheets.
Her room was in semi darkness. All the lamps had been doused except for the single lamp that flickered in an ornate brazier kept at the other side of the room. Soft cool night breeze wafted through the room, lifting the lace curtains in its wake.
' Since I can't sleep, I might as well get up.' Lee flung the sheets from her and sat up.
Sitting alone in the dark, Lee felt a strange feeling knot in her stomach. It made her nauseous, at the same time filled her heart with a strange anticipation. In reality, it was a bit weird to find herself standing in her grandmother's shoes. It was also scary..This similarity. What if time found her and Yang on the opposite sides?
' Heaven forbid!' Lee shuddered.
She slid off the bed and made her way to one of the windows in her room. This window opened into a garden and the wind that flew through this part was heavy with the smell of jasmine flowers. Lee stood beside the window and stared up at the moon wondering what Yang was doing at this moment.
' She is probably cursing me to hell and back.' Lee thought a small smile tugging at her lips.
The garden looked dreamy and mysterious in the soft light of the moon .The wind caressed her cheeks and beckoned her outside. Lee gave in to temptation. She hitched her robe up around her knees and dropped softly onto the velvety grass carpet outside her window.
' Wow ' Lee sighed happily ' I never knew that walking barefoot in the grass could be so ...calming.'
As she walked through the garden she had a sudden feeling that she did not belong here. It felt strange to walk through this silent garden, barefoot, with the wind playing in her hair. But it was so relaxing. It was quite different from the concrete jungle she was used to, and though its neon signs, honking traffic, blaring music and teeming populace made her feel somewhat comfortable; she found this peace much more welcome .In fact she was beginning to understand why grandmother had moved to the country side.
Lee sat down on one of the stone benches in the garden. The entire palace was sleeping. Through the trees she saw the lamps in one of the rooms in the portion of the palace she was in, still lit.
' Is that Hotohori's room?' She wondered ' Is he still awake?'
Her train of thoughts was interrupted by a lilting melody .Lee felt strangely attracted to the soft music that teased her through the shadowed trees. She followed the tune to the source of the music.
It was a girl sitting by a lotus pond. Her hair was coiled up in a messy bun, allowing some of her dusky tresses to escape from its confines and fall in messy disarray over slender shoulders. The light-sleeping robe had slipped off her shoulders revealing a slight expanse of silky smooth skin. The girl played on, unaware of everything around her, her long slender fingers moving over the flute, completely engrossed in the melody that flew from her soft petal like lips.
Lee felt mesmerized ' Who is she?' She wondered
The girl finished her recital and sighed pushing the rebellious hair out of her face. Slowly she became aware of her captive audience. She turned at Lee, her elegant brow twisting into a small ' v' shape.
"I don't think I have seen you before."The girl's voice was just as beautiful as her music, "What is your name?"
Lee smiled a little " My name is Lee."
"Lee " The girl repeated her name thoughtfully "You are not from around here."
Lee pondered on that observation for a while. She agreed, " You are correct. But..Could I know your name?"
The girl smiled at her, her every movement exuding grace " I am Mydozori "
"You are very beautiful " Lee gushed happily "And your music is simply ...wow!"
A small blush rose to Mydozori's cheeks "Thank you." But then her eyes became suspicious again "When did you arrive? I don't recall allocating you rooms."
She got up in one fluid motion "Who are you?" Her eyes flashed "And why are you here? You may think that I am alone, but a mere call from me shall bring the night watch here and they will drag you off to the dungeons!"
Lee paled and held up her hands defensively "You got it all wrong!"She smiled a little sheepishly,"I couldn't sleep, and so, I decided to take a walk in the gardens. And I got a room."She turned and pointed in the direction from which she came " It's over there."
"But that is the wing in which the Prince's main living quarters are located."Mydozori's voice was grim "And Lord Hotohori would never allow you to stay there."
Lee felt a faint tug of anger in her heart " And why the hell not?"
"Because, any woman who is here as a prospective bride of the emperor, is allocated rooms in a separate wing of the palace."Mydozori's tone was condescending, as if she was explaining it to a baby "It is against protocol for her to be wandering in Lord Hotohori's wing of the palace unless the emperor so desires. So you see my dear, if you wish to persuade me that you are not a spy, you have to come up with a much better excuse."
Lee's face flamed, partly with anger and partly with embarrassment "Sorry to burst your bubble sister." She said between gritted teeth " But I am not what you think I am. "
"Indeed " Mydozori smiled a little "What are you then?"
' Has it occurred to this bozo that if you were indeed a spy, then she would be dead by now!' The voice in her head suddenly decided to speak up ' But in any case, I don't think that you should go advertising the fact that you are the miko just yet. It is my belief that since Hotohori has yet to issue an declaration to this effect, the female here would assume it to be another of your pathetic attempts to weasel your way out of trouble.'
" You sometimes give such sane advices. "Lee admitted " So what do you propose I do?"
' I don't know, think of something .Say you are a foreign ambassador or some such thing!' The voice in her head shrugged.
" I am an ambassador from ...Las Vegas." Lee lied valiantly " I am here on official business."
Mydozori looked at her unconvinced " La..s Veegas ! What province is that ?"
"Oh you wouldn't know about it ."Lee waved her hand vaguely " It is very far away .But if you don't believe me you could call the soldiers . If they take me to Menesku , then, this misunderstanding would be cleared soon ."
At the mention of Menesku's name ,the clouds of doubt on Mydozori's face were lifted again ,and her eyes once again held a distant wistful look "Forgive me . I was being unnecessarily rude .I did hear about you arriving this evening ,but had not paid it much attention . I believe you."
Noticing the change of expression in Mydozori's eyes ,a sly smile rose to Lee's lips "Mydozori , do you like Menesku ?"
Mydozori blushed vivid red , then all the blood left her face turning it the color of chalk . She lowered her head ,so that the shadows of her bangs covered her eyes " Menesku is the general of Konon . He is fighting against that awful black warrior ...He is the reason people of Konon can sleep easy at night ...Everybody ..likes him ."
"But some a bit more than others ." Lee retorted slyly .
Mydozori turned away from her .Her shoulders were stiff .
Lee tentatively put a hand on her shoulders "Did I say something wrong ?"
"Please Lady Lee "Mydozori whirled around and clasped Lee's hands "Please don't repeat that again."
Lee was surprised to see her eyes shining with unshed tears " You obviously like Menesku . What is wrong with that ?"
Mydozori looked at Lee ,her eyes wide and disbelieving "You truly must be from a far away land , to be so ignorant of the customs of this land . I am here because I was chosen as a likely candidate for being the future empress of Konon . I am here to serve the emperor , if he so wishes ,with my body and my mind ."
Realization was dawning on Lee . She looked sadly at the forlorn figure in front of her " But never with your heart . "
She smiled a little "Hotohori isn't like that . He will never take advantage of you . Infact, if he comes to know of ..."
"Please ,no more ."Mydozori crumpled on the grass " It is a great honor to serve the emperor .And ... I am proud to be here ."
"Mydozori "Lee spoke slowly " I am sorry ."
Mydozori smiled mistily at Lee " Don't be . I know that Hotohori will never do any thing dishonorable ...infact , I sometimes wonder if he even knows that we exist ..."She paused "It is funny . I have learnt from bitter experience never to trust anybody in this palace .And yet , I am spilling out my heart to you ,who I hardly know ."
"Don't worry . Your secret is safe with me ."Lee grinned . She hated to see people unhappy and somehow Mydozori's predicament tugged at her soft and as Yang often put it , overly romantic heart . It was like some famous romance novel . The emperor's betrothed does not love the emperor . Well technically Mydozori wasn't the emperor's brethren ...still that is only a minor detail ..She loves the emperor's dear friend and general . She is torn between herduty and her one true love .
' You are phasing off again .' The voice in her head reminded her .
Lee sighed . She simply adored matchmaking .Why ,she had set up Tori with Amelia ! Okay ,so that ended in disaster . But it mattered little . If you don't succeed at first ,try ,try and try again ! Now , who said that . Oh ,it was Tori after he failed in his third consecutive test for the purpose of acquiring a driver's license .The thing was , to get this to work , she would need Mydozori to trust her .
She sat down beside Mydozori .
"Mydozori , I have something to tell you ."Lee spoke hesitatingly "It may sound absurd . But it is true."
She took a deep breath before continuing " I am from another world ."
Mydozori looked at her ,confusion and shock etched in her eyes " Are you trying to say that ..you are the Suzaku no miko ?"
Lee nodded ,a little embarrassed "Yes . But ,I will understand if you think I am bamming you ."
Mydozori sat in silence for a long time .Then she spoke up " No, I don't think youmade this up.Your lack of knowledge about our customs , proper protocols all clearly indicated that you are not from here ." She paused a while before continuing "But it is your kindness that really sets you apart .And when I look into your face ...I believe I could trust you .."
Lee beamed happily " Well , I am glad to have made a friend here ."
She edged a little closer to Mydozori "And since we are friends ,what's the deal between you and Menesku . Does he love you as well ?"
Mydozori's lips trembled a bit " Menesku is married to his duty ."She looked away ,clutching the flute to her heart "But enough about me .Tell me about you ."
"But Mydozori " Lee argued .
"Please Lee ,no more of me tonight ."She smiled charmingly at Lee "Tell me about you ."
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It was in the early hours in the morning . A robed figure silently opened the door and entered the room still in semi darkness .
"Would you require anything my lady ?"The voice belonged to an old servant .Her face was ancient and her hair was as white as the fresh snow of winter . Her eyes were unusual ,because for one so old her eyes still held the sparkle of a young woman .
"You are still awake Suila " The figure gave a yawn "Very well then ,fetch me some juice ."
"Might I ask you where you were all this night Lady Mydozori ."Suila asked .
"Call me Zori Suila, you know that I hate that name ."Mydozori pulled the out chopsticks that held her hair up . Unbound her hair fell in a rippling cascade all over her shoulders .
" I have prepared a bath for you Lady Zori ,would you like to bathe ?"Suila asked .
"Not really " Zori shrugged "Not at least now ." She held up an ivory comb "Brush my hair Suila ."
Zori sat down in front of an elaborately carved ornate mirror and allowed Suila to brush her hair in long calming strokes .
"So , where were you ?"Suila asked .
"Are you my keeper Suila ?"Zori arched an eyebrow " But if you must know , I thought that I would catch Menesku tonight ..but I caught something better instead ."
The brushstrokes in Zori's hair ceased a while "What do you mean ?"
"Nothing "Zori flipped her hair elegantly " I rather like diamonds ."Her fingers played with a diamond necklace in her jewellery box ." I simply must get some more ."
" Of course my Lady "Suila agreed as she coiled Zori's hair up into an elegant bun .
Zori got up and walked to a window . Since she was the chief of all the girls in the harem ,her room was a little detached from the other rooms . It has its own garden ,bath and kitchen ...and it had its own uses .
"Have you seen Menesku recently Suila ?"Zori smiled into the darkness ,"I saw him this evening and he looks good enough to eat ."
"You are playing with fire Lady Zori ."Suilas's voice held a warning .
Zori 's hand lashed out like a whip . There was a sharp crack and Suila stumbled back holding her split lip ."You take too much advantage of the freedom I give you old woman ."Zori's voice was cold .
"Forgive me mistress "Suila whimpered .
"That's better ."Zori's mouth curved into a humorless smile ."Never forget your place ."
She turned away from Suila " Now go and wait outside .Keep watch . I have business to attend to ."
"Pardon my impudence Lady Zori , but , who is it that you want to conduct your business with ?"Suila asked cautiously .
"Oh , I am aiming big this time ." Zori gave a low chuckle " I have news worthy of the ears of the black warrior ."
"Black warrior !" Suila paled ."You truly are playing with fire this time !"
Zori sauntered towards Suila who instinctively flinched back " I know ."Zori's voice held a seductive undertone "That is what makes it so ...challenging ."
"Do you desire the black warrior as well ?" Suila asked tentatively .
Zori did not answer "Go now ."
Suila bowed and walked out .Zori turned towards a curtained recess of her room .She flung the silk curtains aside to reveal a full length mirror that reflected her entire profile.At the first glance it looked like an ordinary mirror but when she read out an incantation carved rather skillfully on the edges of the mirror , the reflecting surface was replaced by a swirling mass of purple gas .
"Mioko "Zori's voice was sharp " Mioko . Where are you ? Answer me ."
Slowly the swirling mass of gas began to shift to reveal a female form .She wore a deep ,almost blackish red cloak that covered most of her body . Its hood cast shadows on the upper half of her face. Her painted lips slowly curved into a cold smile
" Well hello to you too Shadow ."Her voice was emotionless "I trust you have not called me in vain ."
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